Taxpayer savings grow after Council cancels carbon ‘net zero’ target
Council taxpayer savings from a decision to cancel a commitment to be carbon ‘net zero’ by 2030 have now passed £10.5 million.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s new Reform UK administration recently reversed a 2019 decision to declare a ‘climate emergency’ and cancelled the move to achieve net zero status.
A detailed review of planned ‘net zero’ expenditure has identified £10.569 million of council capital spending that will no longer go ahead, and a further £603,000 in linked borrowing costs.
The capital savings figure includes:
- £2.191 million previously earmarked for electric refuse vehicles;
- £4.2 million that would have been needed for charging infrastructure;
- £4.178 million of other planned Net Zero and sustainability spending.
The latest savings of £4.178 million, follow the administration’s decision to axe plans for electric refuse vehicles, avoiding £2.191 million in vehicle costs and a further £4.2 million that would have been needed for charging infrastructure.
The Council has also blocked proposals for air source heat pumps to be installed at Jubilee2 leisure centre, as the main boiler is not in need of replacement. Other savings include environmentally-driven upgrades at Keele Cemetery, Bradwell Crematorium and Knutton depot.
Council Leader Jonathan Gullis said:
We have pulled the plug on the previous administration’s Net Zero spending spree and put taxpayers first.
No family would rip out a perfectly good boiler in their own home when it still works, and the council should have the same common sense mentality.
Every pound belongs to the taxpayer. It should support reliable services and real improvements in our towns and communities, not disappear into expensive green gimmicks and arbitrary political targets.
People work hard for their money, and they deserve to know we are spending it carefully on the things that really matter.”
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance Graham Shaw said:
Instead of spending millions on ideological Net Zero projects, we want to invest responsibly in our parks, town centres, public spaces and frontline services.
Residents can already see that approach in action at Lyme Valley Park, where we are delivering a new all-weather pump track for young people and families to enjoy.
We will continue going through the books, challenging every assumption and refusing to sign off spending simply because the previous administration put it in a plan.
Taxpayers’ money should improve taxpayers’ lives, not fund costly schemes that deliver little practical benefit.”
The avoided borrowing will reduce projected revenue costs by £603,000 between 2027/28 and 2031/32, helping the Council move towards balancing its Medium Term Financial Strategy while protecting its ability to invest in local priorities.